AGRICULTURAL social media advocate James Stacey has confirmed he will be running for the seat of Barker at the upcoming federal election for the Nick Xenophon Team.
The South Australian seat of Barker is currently held by Liberal MP Tony Pasin who won it at the last federal poll in 2013.
Mr Stacey is a grain and livestock farmer and hay contractor and was also named at number-one on the Nationals ticket for SA in the Senate, in the 2013 election race.
However, he changed allegiances following an approached from the Independent SA Senator who is running candidates in the upper and lower house at this election, throughout the nation.
“Like Nick I have a long record of holding people to account,” Mr Stacey said.
“I am putting myself forward to represent everyone in Barker and as part of the Nick Xenophon Team we can make Barker an electorate that gets on the radar.
“We have a wealth of natural beauty from the river to the Coorong to the Limestone Coast.
“We need to make the most of the opportunities that exist from Agriculture, welcoming communities and fantastic destinations.
“Together we can give Barker some bite.”
Senator Xenophon said his new candidate was would give the sitting member a real run for his money.
“He is passionate about building a strong rural community and making sure Barker isn’t taken for granted in Canberra,” he said.
“Working together, from both houses of parliament, we can achieve much for the Barker community.”
Mr Pasin said he was expecting a wide field of candidates to run for the House of Representatives in Barker.
“I anticipate a well fought campaign for the privilege of representing the people of Barker from all candidates,” he said.
“I am looking forward to running a strong campaign to continue the great privilege of representing the people of my electorate in the Federal Parliament.”
Mr Stacey said Senator Xenephon had a long track record of supporting the Murray Darling Basin Plan to provide a future both for irrigators and the communities they supported but also knew the importance of maintaining a healthy river environment.
“We need to maintain a quality water supply below Lock One as many communities depend on direct extraction to support their region,” he said.
“After Billions have been spent upstream on efficiencies on farms and channel systems it’s time to upgrade the barrages in the lower lakes so we can manage the interaction between the sea and the precious fresh water in the lake. “
Mr Stacey said .regional telecommunications needed vast improvements; especially overcoming mobile black spots.
On agriculture, he said the collection of mandatory levies from farmers to conduct research and development activities, needed to be spent in an appropriate way given the large sums of money involved.
“We need these programs to deliver real accountable outcomes to farmers which will improve their sustainability and long term profitability,” he said.
“Agricultural producers need strong supporters in Canberra to keep the city centric mainstream on the straight and narrow.”
